Attainment

Does the John Muir Award help the people you work with improve attainment?

Scottish Government describes attainment as a broad term, beyond a narrow definition of exam results or test scores: ‘the measurable progress which children and young people make through and beyond school, and the development of the range of skills, knowledge and attributes needed to succeed in learning, life and work’

73% said yes.

Providers identified an increase in self-motivation and self-confidence. For some Award participation was a chance to experience success, often for the first time. It helped them “re-evaluate their abilities and see themselves as achieving and be more ambitious”.

Many comments highlighted that the structure and framework of the John Muir Award helps to set, work towards and achieve goals. It provides opportunities for participants to develop new skills such as planning and decision making, reasoning and communication skills.

A more general point was made around the positive reaction to learning outdoors, the way that this approach “caters for so many different learning styles”, and how this helps with individual attainment.

“The certificate helps towards employability but the soft skills the young people develop through the process also build confidence, communication and self-motivation”.

Some Providers felt that it was difficult to pick out the specific role of the Award in young peoples’ attainment.

“We feel that pupils that participate in the John Muir Award become resilient, confident, responsible, reflective, setting goals and more of a team player. Strength in these skills will impact on attainment and the Award provides opportunities to develop these skills. This is a natural way in which to provide pupils with opportunities to develop skills they will need for life.”